About a four hour drive north of Rosehaven Cottage, a forest fire is burning just 6 miles from the sleepy town where my mother grew up. The town is Greenville, located in part of Northern California's former logging country in the Indian Valley of Plumas County. Greenville is where I spent precious childhood moments visiting my Grammy until she passed away from ovarian cancer when I was 10 years old. It is also the place where I have continued to visit and where I've created happy memories in my adulthood.I am not only feeling the emotional effects of that forest fire, but also the environmental effects of it. The sky over Rosehaven Cottage has been hazy and brown all day because of the smoke that is drifting from seemingly so far away.
The light in the garden was very different as the sun pulsated through the haze. I found the light to be rather intriguing from a photographic standpoint. The colors around the garden took on the hues of amber and terra cotta--hues of autumn. The amber light reflected off the peach flagstones, the butter yellow walls of Rosehaven Cottage, the cool blue surface of the pond and the skins of the pomegranates in a magical way.
Above left and right: Pomegranates weigh down the branches of their bush over the pond.
Above: Pomegranates against Rosehaven Cottage
Above: Pomegranates and pomegranate blossom on slate
Above: A little 3 inch long lizard on flagstone regarding me as I photograph it.
Above: Barley or millet that sprouted from the winter birdseed (which I let grow and go to seed).
Regardless of how magical it makes my photographs look, it brings me sadness to know that the places that I love so dearly are in danger of or are actually burning right now. Those places include what I consider to be the most beautiful National Park in the United States--Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park. According to news reports, the fast-moving fire has claimed over 18,000 acres and is only 5% percent contained when it was originally estimated at being 15% contained. Over 1,000 firefighters have been called up to fight the forest fire that started on private land. I pray that many miracles big and small will happen to end this and the other fires that are burning throughout the state of California. I also pray for the safety of those brave men and women that are fighting the fires and for their families that love them and are concerned for them right now.
Fires are scary, especially when they burn out of control. I've heard, though, that it allows nature to clean itself up and rebuild, so it's a natural process. It's a scary natural process, though!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you can see beauty despite the scare and create these lovely photographs. You truly have a gift with the camera and I so much enjoy looking at your pictures.
Very very beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy these very much~!
Found your lovely blog via another! Such beautiful things at Rosehaven Cottage! I love the name and your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Are you teasing me with pomegranates, lol? It is so sad about the fires, I don't know if you heard about Greece, it was sad to find out that it was intentional. Very nice post, I really enjoyed reading it. thanks, anna :)
ReplyDeleteIt's very sad about the fires - we had fires in northern Minnesota this year too. The destruction is unreal.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful. I love seeing the pomegranates - they look really cool with the pond.